Shanghai Port Breaks Through 50 Million TEUs for the First Time, and Yangshan Leads the Year - end Shipping Boom

On December 22, Shanghai Ports annual container throughput exceeded 50 million TEUs, becoming the worlds first container terminal to achieve this milestone. According to on-site information, at 7:30 a.m. that day, Shanghais Yangshan Deep-Water Port witnessed a busy scene with 14 large ocean-going container ships docked simultaneously, occupying all container terminal berths.foreign tradeThe Yangshan Border Inspection Station revealed that the ports high operational status has become the norm since December, with frequent queues for vacant berths. Industry insiders expect this round of high-intensity operations to continue until the end of the year.

Data from the Yangshan Border Inspection Station shows that since December, the daily inspection of international vessels has reached 27, a 4.3% increase from the previous month. Affected by autumn typhoons and cold air, some vessels delayed from November were rescheduled to dock in December, jointly driving up the ports throughput. The rough seas and cold weather posed challenges but also highlighted the efficiency of Yangshan Ports coordination, customs clearance, and law enforcement. Wei Rongchun, deputy captain of the Yangshan Border Inspection Station, noted that the ports international shipping routes have increased to 106, up by 10 year-on-year, with an average daily docking volume exceeding 20 vessels. The port is expected to surpass 10,000 vessel inspections next week, setting a new record since its operation.

The increase in routes has also led to steady growth in shipping capacity and vessel turnover. In 2024, Shanghai Ports international freight routes reached nearly 350, covering over 700 ports in 200+ countries and regions, with 30+ new routes added. The Yangshan Border Inspection Station reported 9,860+ international vessel inspections in 2024, a 5% year-on-year increase. Alongside the surge in vessel arrivals, crew changes have also risen significantly, with 12,700+ Chinese and foreign crew members processed this year—a 32% increase (3,100+ more) compared to last year, exceeding previous annual totals.

Additionally, the number of crew members boarding with e-port visas has grown steadily. Benefiting from the latest visa policies, transnational crew deployment and maritime organizations have gained flexibility, becoming key to enhancing shipping capacity and efficiency. Facing rising demand, the Yangshan Border Inspection Station has leveraged Internet+ tools like Shanghais International Trade Single Window and the National Immigration Administrations online platform to streamline pre-arrival inspections, aiming to simplify vessel checks and crew changes from one visit to zero visits. The station also promotes the 12367 immigration service platform to improve responsiveness to出入境人员 and shipping companies.

To ensure port safety, the Yangshan Border Inspection Station has enhanced K-9 unit applications and maritime law enforcement collaboration, advancing the Two Regions, Six Parties policing integration between Shanghai and Shengsi for a more robust security system. For Shanghai Port, surpassing 50 million TEUs reflects its global shipping hub strength and upgraded management and services. Its prosperity signals global economic recovery and offers a management model for other international ports under high loads.